Stein's talk is titled "Courts, Affordable Housing and Sound Planning: The Future of New Jersey's Mount Laurel Doctrine." The doctrine, which established that municipalities must provide opportunities for construction of affordable housing, came out of rulings by the state Supreme Court in cases involving the township of Mount Laurel. It stands at a pivotal point after a January 2007 decision by the New Jersey Superior Court Appellate Division invalidated rules adopted by the New Jersey Council on Affordable Housing to implement the doctrine.

Stein retired from the court in 2002 after more than 17 years of service. He wrote more than 365 published opinions during his tenure, including three on the Mount Laurel Doctrine.

Prior to joining the court, he served as director of Gov. Thomas Kean's Office of Policy and Planning.